Winners & losers: 2011 New York Auto Show

Caption2012 Subaru Impreza

Cars.com photo

Mike Hanley: Winner The all-wheel-drive Impreza's significantly improved gas mileage is a compelling storyline — it's now rated at 27/36 mpg city/highway — but I was just as impressed with the completely revised interior, which brings some needed refinement. Subaru's already on a roll in the U.S., and the Impreza looks like another hit. Kelsey Mays: Winner The Impreza's face looks better than the larger Legacy's overblown one. As Mike alluded, cabin materials are good and this sort of mileage for an all-wheel-drive car is impressive. Although Subaru hasn't announced pricing yet, the list of standard features is generous given the Impreza's class. Joe Wiesenfelder: Winner Subaru is really onto something here, styling-wise: It is less quirky than other Subarus and more mature than the previous gen yet not bland. The interior doesn't rival the best out there, but it's a significant improvement. I'm still surprised by the backseat, which isn't huge by the numbers, but I found it accommodating nonetheless. David Thomas: Winner You have to see the Impreza to appreciate it. In early images I was worried it was too stubby and plain. In person, it looks sharp, and I would even classify the maroon sedan on the show floor as elegant. It now has terrific mileage to match Subaru's vaunted all-wheel drive and well-known reliability.

Mike Hanley: Winner The all-wheel-drive Impreza's significantly improved gas mileage is a compelling storyline — it's now rated at 27/36 mpg city/highway — but I was just as impressed with the completely revised interior, which brings some needed refinement. Subaru's already on a roll in the U.S., and the Impreza looks like another hit. Kelsey Mays: Winner The Impreza's face looks better than the larger Legacy's overblown one. As Mike alluded, cabin materials are good and this sort of mileage for an all-wheel-drive car is impressive. Although Subaru hasn't announced pricing yet, the list of standard features is generous given the Impreza's class. Joe Wiesenfelder: Winner Subaru is really onto something here, styling-wise: It is less quirky than other Subarus and more mature than the previous gen yet not bland. The interior doesn't rival the best out there, but it's a significant improvement. I'm still surprised by the backseat, which isn't huge by the numbers, but I found it accommodating nonetheless. David Thomas: Winner You have to see the Impreza to appreciate it. In early images I was worried it was too stubby and plain. In person, it looks sharp, and I would even classify the maroon sedan on the show floor as elegant. It now has terrific mileage to match Subaru's vaunted all-wheel drive and well-known reliability. (Cars.com photo)

MH: Winner There's probably not a harder assignment in the car business than being tasked with redesigning the Beetle, but VW's designers pulled it off. The 2012 Beetle manages to respect the car's larger-than-life past while seamlessly incorporating all of the modern conveniences you'd expect. KM: Winner A Volkswagen official told me the automaker hopes to see the Beetle generate a 50/50 distribution between male and female buyers. While the original Beetle sold aplenty to males, the second-gen (New) Beetle skewed more than 60% female, he said. With its low stance and longer hood, this car looks sharp — just the sort of thing that could make the guys return. JW: Loser Zzzzzzzzz. Maybe this is just an issue of personal preference, but my interest in the resurrected Beetle tracks with the overall market's: initial enthusiasm followed by a gradual decline. The redesign isn't enough to make this model relevant to me. DT: Loser I'm in Joe's camp, but have more issues with the purpose of this vehicle. If you have a GTI in the lineup, why do you need another two-door hatchback just for styling purposes? If VW was adding performance I'd prefer the slick Scirocco that Europe gets. Instead, we get a Beetle. I also found the controls for the air conditioning on par with the lesser Hyundai Accent at the booth next door.

MH: Winner There's probably not a harder assignment in the car business than being tasked with redesigning the Beetle, but VW's designers pulled it off. The 2012 Beetle manages to respect the car's larger-than-life past while seamlessly incorporating all of the modern conveniences you'd expect. KM: Winner A Volkswagen official told me the automaker hopes to see the Beetle generate a 50/50 distribution between male and female buyers. While the original Beetle sold aplenty to males, the second-gen (New) Beetle skewed more than 60% female, he said. With its low stance and longer hood, this car looks sharp — just the sort of thing that could make the guys return. JW: Loser Zzzzzzzzz. Maybe this is just an issue of personal preference, but my interest in the resurrected Beetle tracks with the overall market's: initial enthusiasm followed by a gradual decline. The redesign isn't enough to make this model relevant to me. DT: Loser I'm in Joe's camp, but have more issues with the purpose of this vehicle. If you have a GTI in the lineup, why do you need another two-door hatchback just for styling purposes? If VW was adding performance I'd prefer the slick Scirocco that Europe gets. Instead, we get a Beetle. I also found the controls for the air conditioning on par with the lesser Hyundai Accent at the booth next door. (Cars.com photo)